International Cocoa Council and subsidiary bodies, 18-22 March 2013, Bali, Indonesia

The International Cocoa Council and subsidiary bodies, including the new Economics and Administration and Finance Committees, created under the terms of the 2010 International Cocoa Agreement , will meet in Bali, Indonesia 18 – 22 March 2013.

Members planning to attend the meetings in Bali should see details of the logistical arrangements, including reservations at the the venue hotel, in the document ED(MEM) 949.

Those in producing member nations wishing to obtain Indonesian visas should consult the list of embassies and consulates here.

Details of the venue and accommodation at the Discovery Kartika Plaza Hotel can be downloaded here. Rooms at the adjacent Discovery Kartika Plaza Hotel can be downloaded here can be reserved by completing the form and emailing it to the hotel.

Provisional Timetable of Meetings, 18-22 March 2013, Bali, Indonesia

ED(MEM) 948-Rev.1
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International Cocoa Council: Draft Agenda

ICC-87-1-Rev.1
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Administration and Finance Committee: Draft Agenda

AF-1-1-Rev.1
English French Spanish Russian

Economics Committee: Draft Agenda

EC-1-1
English French Spanish Russian

The next meeting of the Consultative Board on the World Cocoa Economy, and the second meeting of the Expert Working Group on Food Safety, Cocoa Productivity and Quality are now scheduled to be held in London, 28-29 May, 2013.

The next meeting of the Ad Hoc Panel on Fine/Flavour Cocoa is scheduled for 30 May 2013 in London.

Noble becomes 30th stakeholder to sign Abidjan Cocoa Declaration

13 January 2013--Hong Kong-based multinational cocoa trader Noble Group on 7 January signed the Abidjan Cocoa Declaration.

Noble joins 29 other cocoa sector stakeholders, ranging from cocoa growers through their governments to civil society and most of the world’s largest manufacturers of chocolate, who began the signing the ground-breaking agreement at a special ceremony during the World Cocoa Conference in Abidjan in November. The Declaration remains open to allow more cocoa stakeholder organizations to sign it.

The Abidjan Cocoa Declaration, which recommends specific and measurable actions to achieve a sustainable cocoa economy, reflects the more detailed proposals of the Global Cocoa Agenda. The important issues highlighted by the Agenda formed the basis of many of the presentations, discussions and panel sessions that took place at the World Cocoa Conference.

The Declaration is to be the first step in an ongoing process aimed at creating a sustainable future for the cocoa sector and helping to ensure that its benefits are shared along the entire chain, starting with the growers. Another World Cocoa Conference is planned in 2014 to monitor and review the progress made dealing with the issues outlined by the Declaration and the Agenda.

The texts of both the Abidjan Cocoa Declaration and the Global Cocoa Agenda, as well as most of the presentations which were delivered at the World Cocoa Conference, can be downloaded here.

The previous signatories to the Abidjan Cocoa Declaration are: Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ecuador, Togo, Papua New Guinea, Mars, Mondelez International, Nestlé, Petra Foods, Armajaro Trading Ltd, Barry Callebaut, Cargill, Ferrero Trading, Federation of Cocoa Commerce, Touton, ADM, CAOBISCO, World Cocoa Foundation, IDH (Dutch Sustainable Agriculture Initiative), ECA (European Cocoa Association), Olam International /Outspan Ivoire, ACP (The Africa, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States), Talents (farmer), Amtrada/Continaf, CEMOI, ICI (International Cocoa Initiative) and HCCO (Hamburg Cocoa & Commodity Office GmbH).

Ghana ratifies the International Cocoa Agreement 2010

Ghana on 18 December 2012 ratified the International Cocoa Agreement 2010, the United Nations Treaty Section has confirmed.

Click here to see the official notification of ratification to the Agreement from the United Nations.